Ooncentbator



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Shet 1.

JPREY. GONGENTRATOR.

-No. 552,995. Patented Jan. 14, 1896.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets--Sheet 3.

J. PREY.

GONGENTRATOR.

No. 552,995. I Patented Jan. 14, 1896.

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No. 552,995. Patented Jail. 14, 1896.

N0 Model.) 5 SheetsSheet 5. J. FREY.

GONGENTRATOR. No. 552,995. Patented J55. '14, 1896.

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ANDREW BiRAflANJHOTO-UTMD WASHINGTON. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT Erica.

JOHN FREY, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

CONCENTRATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,995, dated January14, 1896.

Application filed January 24, 1894. Serial No. 497,944. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN FREY, a citizen of the United States, residingat Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in and Connected with Concentratorsfor Ores, Minerals, Valuable Sands, or other Dense Bodies, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to a device for use in ore concentration, in whichthe ore is separated from intermingled or alluvial material by the useof water, through an agitative action and the attraction of gravity. Insome cases the water may be omitted and the material concentrated in adry state.

The objects of my invention are to furnish a concentrator of simple,light, portable, and economic construction, durable and reliable inoperation, readily adjustable in its various parts, obviating waste ofvaluable material and arranged to accomplish the more perfect separationof the precious metals by the least degree of agitation of the water.

The great difficulty experienced in practically and economicallyconcentrating and saving the valuable materials which are so lightcompared with the gangue or intermingled material as to be carried oliby the slightest over-agitation or disturbance of the water isillustrated in innumerable tailingsdeposits from reduction-works, whichshow an assay value equal to or, in many cases, greater than what hasbeen separated in the works. Therefore the preliminary and repeatedsubsequent concentrations and devices therefor are of value as thematerial becomes more and more attenuated, and it is the purpose of myinvention to successfully cope with ore, sand or gravel of low grade andextreme fineness and low specific gravity. 1 attain these objects by thefeatures of construction, and the combinations and arrangement ofdevices hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which similar letters and numbers of referencerepresent corre sponding parts.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the upper pan or concentrating-table. Fig. 2is a vertical central section of the main portion of my concentrator.Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the lower concentrating-pans. Fig. i isa vertical section of the elevator. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the hopperor feed-trough. Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the hopper,taken throughthe line a; 1:, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the failingsreceptacle or basin, taken on a plane at right angles to thatrepresented in Fig; at. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the bottomconcentrating-pan; and Fig. 0 is a plan View of the upperdistributing-table.

The entire machine, with the exception of the elevator shown in Fig. 4,is inclosed and supported by a light rectangular framework composed offour uprights with the necessary cross-bracesto insure rigidity, andforsake of simplicity in the drawings I have merely shown the upper andlower parallel crossbars or bearing-seats 1 and 2, the lower supportingthe bearing 3, in which the shaft 4 revolves, while the upper, 1, isfurnished with a bearing 5, through which the shaft i passes and is heldin a steady perpendicular position during revolution.

Rigidly secured to the upper extremity of the shaft at by means of theset-screw 6 is a beveled pinion '7, the teeth of which are adapted tomesh with a corresponding bevelwheel 8 which is keyed or rigidly securedto a horizontal shaft 9, the latter having suitable bearings in theupper portion of the framework.

Rigidly secured to the upper part of the shaft 4: immediately below theguide-bearing 5, by means of a set-screw 10, is a circular pan or basinA,having an inner and an outer flange or rim 11 and 12 respectively anda central depressed portion 13.

Directly below the circular pan A and secured or keyed to the shaft a isthe eccentric or cam 14:, which is adapted to impart the desired motionor agitation to the concentrating parts which I will now describe.

Encirclingthe eccentric 1a is a circular concentrating-pan 0, (shown inplan view in Fig. 1,) the surface of which inclines downward from thecenter to the outer edge. On the upper surface of this pan is a seriesof concentric depressions a, the bottom of each depression being cut outand covered with a screen or sieve 15, increasing in degree ofcoarseness as the depressions approach the outer rim of the pan. It willbe readily seen from Fig. 2 that the elevation of each successivedepression toward the outer rim is lower than the one nearer theeccentric 14 and that the outer rim of each depression is lower than itsinner rim. In order to equalize to a greater extent the areas of thebottoms of succeeding depressions I have bisected the two outerdepressions on each quadrant of the pan by a radial rib 1S,the surfacesof whichincline to form a wedge-shaped partition. Se cured to theperiphery or rim of the pan or table 0 is a circular roadway 19, whichgradually inclines downward to a discharge-pipe or tailings-outlet 20.

Situated beneath the table G is a second pan D similar in constructionto the pan 0, with the exception that the surface inclines toward thecenter, or, in other words, is concave in form, and further thedischarge 21 for the tailings is at the center. The screens 22 at thebottom of each depression Z) in this pan D are of a finer mesh thanthose in the upper pan C in order to further separate the materialpassed through the upper screens 15. In order to convey the materialpassed through the upper screens to the outer depressions on the pan D,I have provided and secured to the pan C a conical-shaped conveyer 23,its upper face inclining toward its outer edge.

The third pan E, which is situated beneath the pan D, is similar inconstruction and inclination to the upper pan 0, with the exception thatthe faces of the depressions c incline toward a central depressedopening 24, the screens being omitted. The discharge-pipe from the upperroadway empties into a similar roadway 25, secured to the periphery ofthe pan E, which in turn has a dischargepipe 26.

To the under surface of the pan D is secured a centrally-depressed orinclined conveyer 27 which conveys the concentrated material from thepan D to the inner depressions c on the pan E.

Below the pan E is a similar pan F, which slopes downwardly toward thecenter, the in ner or discharge edge of which is secured to the circularroadway 28, from the lowest portion of which is led a discharge-pipe 29,which connects with the discharge 26 from the roadways 19 and 25.

I The material issuing from the openings 30 in the pan F are caught bythe circular apron 31, the surface of which inclines downwardly from theinner and outer edges, thus forming a central depressed portion throughwhich is perforated a series of holes 32, which lead the material to apan G, (shown in plan view in Fig. 8,) having depressions e anddischargeopenings 33. Beneath the depressions c is a roadway 34, whichconveys the concentrated and valuable material through thedischargeorifice into a suitable receptacle. Situated about theperiphery of the pan G is an inclined roadway 36, with a suitabledischargepipe 37.

Leading from the openings 24 in the pan E to thecorrespondingly-situated depressions d in the pan F is a conducting-pipe38. For simplicity in the drawings I have shown only three pipes 38, butit is my intention to employ a conducting-pipe for each depression 0 inthe pan E.

In order to more evenly distribute the material on the upper pan 0, Ihave placed between the revolving pan A and the pan C and secured to pan0 a distributing-pan 13. (shown in plan view in Fig. 9,) which inclinesdownward from the center to its outer edge and is constructed with anouter upwardlyextending flange 39 and a central flange 40. At the innerside of these flanges are a series of holes 41 to convey the material tothe first and second series of depressions a on the pan 0. r

The manner of securing the separate parts of the concentrator togetheris clearly shown in Fig. 2. The upper pan G is rigidly secured to acasing 42,which surrounds the shaft 4 and terminates at its lowerextremity in the roadway 28. The pans D and E are secured to a secondcasing 43 of larger diameter and encircling the inner casing 42, whichis secured to and held at the required distance from the inner casing 42to form a discharge-conduit 21 for tailings from the pan D by means ofradiating ribs 44. The diameter of the inner casing 42 is sufficient topermit of the required motion imparted to the concentratingpans by therevolution of the eccentric 14. The whole series of pans described abovewhichare eifected by the revolution of the eccentric 14 are held orsuspended in the re quired vertical elevation relative to the shaft 4and eccentric 14 by means of four suspension wire ropes 45, which aresecured to the projections 46 on the outer edge of the pan F by means ofthe eyebolts 47, the upper extremities of the ropes being secured toupper cross-braces of the framework, which I did not deem necessary toshow in the drawings, as it may be made of any form of construc tion.

I will now explain the construction of the feeding-hopper. (Shown inFigs. 5 and U.) The vertical sides 48 converge from the back. 49 towardthe outlet 50, which is shown. broken off, in Fig. 2. In order to breakthe force and prevent the splash of the water as it enters the hopperthrough the inlet-pipe 51 I have supplied the plate 52, which is securedto the vertical back or end 49 of the hopper and extends downwardly andoutwardly to within a short space from the horizontal partition 53.Situated at a point about midway of the hopper is a vertical partition54 with a space between its lower edge and the bottom 55 of the hopper.Between the horizontal partition 53 and the partition 54 is situated awire or perforated metal screen or sieve 56, and immediately below thescreen and sliding through the vertical partition 54 is an adjustableslide 57 which is intended to regulate the amount of material allowed topass through the sieve 56. EX- tending directly across the hopper andsecured to the vertical partition 5% is a concave dischargetrough 58,which is adapted to convey from the hopper the material too large topass through the meshes in the sieve 56. The hopper is secured to thepan B by means of the upright support 59.

The construction. of the principal parts of the concentrator, as well astheir relative positions being described, I will now follow the ore asit is being concentrated and explain the method of operation of eachcomponent part.

Either hand, water, steam or other motive power is connected with thehorizontal shaft 9 by means of cranks, belts or other connections, thuscausing the shaft 9 to revolve, the motion therefrom being transmittedto the vertical shaft 4: through the bevel-gears 7 and 8 describedabove. It will be seen that all r the concentrating-pans to whichagitation is imparted through the eccentric 1st are caused to swing inan even motion free from any jarring effect, and further the hopperconnected with the pan B is caused to receive a like agitating motion.The crushed ore, gravel, black sand, or other material to beconcentrated, is fed by hand or other suitable means into the hopperonto the horizontal partition 53, when the water from the inlet-pipe 51washes the finer material through the sieve 5t, whence it travels alongthe inclined bottom 55 of the hopper and is fed onto the revolving panA. As a result of centrifugal force the material in pan A is thrown overthe outer rim 12 and lodges on the distributin gpan B. The particles ofgreater specific gravity pass through the openings i1 into the first orinner series of depressions a in the pan C, while the lighter materialpasses over the central flange l0 and through the perforations 41 intothe second series of depressions a. The lower rim of each depression, orthat farthest from the shaft 4:, being on a lower level than the inneror upper rim, the lighter material passes over the lower rim into thesecond series of depressions, while the heavier or coarser material isdeposited on the sieve 15, a part of the water with the finer impuritiespassing through the sieve. A. similar action takes place in theremaining depressions a, the final tailings from the pan C passing intothe roadway 19, from which it is conducted by the pipe 20. The water andintermingled material which has passed through the sieves 15 areconducted to the outer depressions on the pan D by means of the conicaltable 23. The concentrating action of the second pan D is identical withthat of the upper pan 0, with the one exception that the tailings aredischarged from the center of the pan into the roadway 28, from whichthey are conducted by the pipe 29.

A similar concentrating process occurs in the lower pans E, F and G, thetailings from the pan E being deposited into the roadway 25, and thosefrom the pan F into the central roadway 28.

In order to regulate the amount of material allowed to escape throughthe perforations 2% in the bottom of each depression 0 on pan E into thedepression cl immediately below on the pan F, I have constructed ascrewvalve 60, one for each depression, in the three pans E, F, and G,which has a bearing on a cross-bar 61, cast or secured to the pan E, thelower extremity of the valve being adapted, when screwed down, tocompletely close the perforations 24 in the bottom of each depression c.For the sake of simplicity in the drawings I have shown but one of thesescrewvalves; but it is my intention to supply one for each depression inthe pans E, F, and G.

After the concentrated material is led to the depressions e in thebottom pan G the last and final result of the successive concentrationsdescribed above passes into the roadway 3%, from which it is led throughthe orifice 35 into a suitable receptacle. The tailings from the lastconcentration in the pan G are led from the roadway 36 through thedischarge pipe 37. It is obvious that the latter tailings are valuablecompared with the failings from the other pans, and in cases where thedegree of concentration resulting from a single passage of the materialthrough the series of concentrating-pans is not sufficiently great, thetailings from the pan G are led through the discharge-pipe 37 to anelevator, (shown in Fig. 4,) where they are returned to the hopper, Fig.6, and again passed through the concentrating process describedabove.

The construction of the elevator is simple and inexpensive. It consists,essentially, of belt-wheels 62 and 63, the former being secured to anextension of the horizontal shaft 9, while the latter is situated on ahorizontal shaft 64, having bearings 65 on the inner sur face of the panor receptacle 66, the latter being bolted or secured to a properfoundation by means of the bolts or screws 67. Passing over the wheels62 and 63 is an endless belt 68, to the outer surface of which issecured a series of cup-shaped buckets 69, only a portion of which areshown. To prevent the loss of material to be hoisted I have inclosed thebelt and connections in the housing or casing 70. The method ofoperation of this elevator is simple and readily understood from Fig. 4.The endless belt 68 is caused to travel in the direction indicated bythe arrow. The material in the pan 66 is gathered up by the buckets 69and carried over the upper belt-wheel 62, when it is thrown by gravityonto the trough 71 and led to the hopper. (Shown in Fig. 6.)

It is my intention to construct the concentrating-pans of cast-iron, asI have found that the grain of cast-iron is such that it does not appearto be acted upon by the motion of the concentratedmaterials, hut I donot Ariel-rte confine'myselfto the use of castiren alone,

heusedo concentric depressions, andl therefore do not desireto;(EOHfiIIQililyillvjfillhlil n toitheexact number shorvnin the drawings.

' do not wish tolimitmyselfctotheexaet'numher, of concentratin wansshown orzth eir 'reiative position 7 stream cr deposit to another Whereitis sired to concentrateany substance In; my concentrator, astiiusdescribe-dandqshowni, :I .hareprovizded V meansthat. may 1easilyop'erated hy a singleworkman-atbut a slightexpense and: undercondit one that 35 .Inthe easeot the sieves the particles of materialhaving-a greater specific gravity than; the intermingled n' ateriodge'cont-he screens andjalioiv; only that prop ertionlof o the water to passthrough. as to permitofconcentra-* .tionintl uess and lower pans, the;degre oi fine 'Jnay he transferred from inillto mill or fiiQlllOIlQpoint on a bar, (l6

Wouldotherwise require a large outlay in preparing for the concentratingprocess.

I am aware that changes in the form, number, relative position andproportion of parts ..1 of the devices herein described asail-embodiment of my invention can be made Without departing from thespirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reservethe right to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within thescope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

' circular p an s and agitat na Further I each "of fsaid'panssubstantially I 2, The ceinbinationof revoluhle uprighti' :sliaft,aneccentric, rigidly secured thereto;

suspension ropesor rodsya vertical rieslof circularpansertahiessupported by eareasof the screens hem prep"- and a 'erlyregulated *to acccmplish i the desired re- 7 As. many of these machinesasimayiie re quired for auplant in anymlesiredlocaiityinay he,placedside 'by'side and all connected to a single line-shaft,andin thatcase oper area simultaneously and the same mo tive power, 7 The macincsmay be alsomade portable, whereby they 91166511111'51'for'niedxwitlraseries of concentr c therein; means-for regulat ngthedischarge I through said perforations; e circular tabi havingan'outer fiaring'riinri 7 I said sh aft and above said'series or pans;and a circular trcughorspout secured tothe il'oi ve r' li111{0f each ofsaid pa ns substantially as se suspension ropes or rods; a verticalseries of; ci rcular pans or tables supported by SitidiOdSx 1 :Ii.'ihe'celnhinatieri ofra revoluhleupright shaft, eccentric rigidlysecured thereto suspension ropes or rods; a vertical series of or tablessupported by said rods, bysai deccentric;ithe' uppersur faces of saidpansincliningdownward Elli/eh lytoward thercenter, andt ecircumiier-fand forinc'dwit series ofconcentric depressions, and dischargingperforations therein; means for regulating the discharge through: saidperforations; and a circular 6o,

trough or spout secured to the lowerri'm of set-forth;

aid rods; tatedhy said eccentric ;theupper sur 1 faces' of said pans'inclining' d ownivard alter nately toward the center, and thecircumferdepressions and I dischai i 111g perforations idiy secured to"forth.

:13; The eombination'of a revclnble upright shaft, an eccentric rigidlysecured thereto and tatedhyzsaid eccentric; the upper sur face of saidpans inclining downward alternately toward the center, and thecircumference, and formed with a series of concentric depressions, anddischarging perforations therein; means for regulating the dischargethrough said perforations; a circular trough or spout secured to thelower rim of each of said pans; and an elevator adapted to carry thetailings from the lower pan to the upper substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

- JOHN FREY.

lVitnesses:

J. HENNIKsUR, J. B. LARUE.

